Vanguard's TV production students showcase talents

School's ‘Knightly News' team wins national competition in Los Angeles

Anchors Daniel Tuggerson, 17, and Julia Wilson, 16, rehearse their lines before a broadcast of Knightly News at Vanguard High School in Ocala on Friday, March 15, 2013. Students of the television production class recently won the Sweet 16 competition, which they also won in 2011, held by the Student Television Network in Los Angeles, Ca.

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The team was required to film, edit and produce a video, lasting no more than 16 minutes, on the streets of Los Angeles.

The team members had to do it all in 16 hours — from scratch.

Most of the 32 Vanguard students were underclassmen.

They had only basic production equipment.

They had no means of transportation.

And their teacher, on principle, was present but didn't help them one bit.

Despite it all, the “Knightly News” team was crowned champion, besting dozens of other teams from across the nation.

“From start to finish, they did this on their own,” said teacher Marc Rice. “All we had were a few cameras and tripods and a computer. Their creativity did the rest.”

The competition is called “Sweet 16.” Each team chose a video theme from a list of 16 words provided just before the 16-hour clock began ticking.

“After only a few minutes of discussion, we were able to decide on ‘devotion' — a fitting word for the amount of effort we all put into the show and all of the previous training leading up to the convention,” said Chris Polack, a junior who is one of two executive producers.

Topic chosen, the students set out on foot to shoot footage.

The rules allowed for team advisers to help with production. But Rice — a two-time Emmy winner for his work at WESH TV news in Orlando — sat on the sidelines. He said the video, from concept to editing, should be the students' work.

There were dozens of teams, many of which had start-of-the-art equipment — even camera cranes — plus transportation and a hands-on teacher. In all, more than 2,500 high school students competed.

The Vanguard team told the stories of a popcorn business owner devoted to improving his business, of Los Angeles drivers devoted to using alternative modes of transportation, and of an aspiring writer devoted to succeed. That writer is the son of Vanguard Principal Cindy Repp.

Rice began teaching at Vanguard in 2007. His teams won this competition in 2011 and earned honorable mentions in 2009 and 2012. The team did not compete in 2010.

Rice left the TV news world to teach so he could shape young minds, helping to “build character” and instill commitment into their lives.

“I think the only reason why we all stayed sane was because of Mr. Rice and all of the work and love he put into this trip,” said Julia Wilson, a team leader. “He's such a role model to all of us, and we respect him more than anyone else in the world. He's literally like a second dad to me.”

After the judging, when the winners were being announced, the Vanguard team didn't hear its name. Students figured their chances of placing were gradually fading. Rice had warned them about the stiff competition.

“As they announced second place and we didn't hear our name, we all released the tight grip of our hands, as we didn't believe getting first place was feasible,” said senior Sydnee Geril, the other executive producer.

“Still, it amazes me how we did it. We actually did it,” said sophomore Galina Abdelaziz, a team leader.

Flying 32 students and equipment nearly 3,000 miles cost $42,000. Parents helped pay the tab. So did the students themselves, who produced videos for area businesses in exchange for donations.

“If I let myself think about it long enough, I could probably cry again and again from happiness,” Galina said. “So much hard work went into the show, and to be rewarded for your hard work is an incredible feeling.”

Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow of him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.

<p>The odds were against Vanguard High School's acclaimed “Knightly News” television production team during a recent competition at the Student Television Network convention in Los Angeles.</p><p>The team was required to film, edit and produce a video, lasting no more than 16 minutes, on the streets of Los Angeles.</p><p>The team members had to do it all in 16 hours — from scratch.</p><p>Most of the 32 Vanguard students were underclassmen.</p><p>They had only basic production equipment.</p><p>They had no means of transportation.</p><p>And their teacher, on principle, was present but didn't help them one bit.</p><p>Despite it all, the “Knightly News” team was crowned champion, besting dozens of other teams from across the nation.</p><p>“From start to finish, they did this on their own,” said teacher Marc Rice. “All we had were a few cameras and tripods and a computer. Their creativity did the rest.”</p><p>The competition is called “Sweet 16.” Each team chose a video theme from a list of 16 words provided just before the 16-hour clock began ticking.</p><p>“After only a few minutes of discussion, we were able to decide on 'devotion' — a fitting word for the amount of effort we all put into the show and all of the previous training leading up to the convention,” said Chris Polack, a junior who is one of two executive producers.</p><p>Topic chosen, the students set out on foot to shoot footage.</p><p>The rules allowed for team advisers to help with production. But Rice — a two-time Emmy winner for his work at WESH TV news in Orlando — sat on the sidelines. He said the video, from concept to editing, should be the students' work.</p><p>There were dozens of teams, many of which had start-of-the-art equipment — even camera cranes — plus transportation and a hands-on teacher. In all, more than 2,500 high school students competed.</p><p>The Vanguard team told the stories of a popcorn business owner devoted to improving his business, of Los Angeles drivers devoted to using alternative modes of transportation, and of an aspiring writer devoted to succeed. That writer is the son of Vanguard Principal Cindy Repp.</p><p>Rice began teaching at Vanguard in 2007. His teams won this competition in 2011 and earned honorable mentions in 2009 and 2012. The team did not compete in 2010.</p><p>Rice left the TV news world to teach so he could shape young minds, helping to “build character” and instill commitment into their lives.</p><p>“I think the only reason why we all stayed sane was because of Mr. Rice and all of the work and love he put into this trip,” said Julia Wilson, a team leader. “He's such a role model to all of us, and we respect him more than anyone else in the world. He's literally like a second dad to me.”</p><p>After the judging, when the winners were being announced, the Vanguard team didn't hear its name. Students figured their chances of placing were gradually fading. Rice had warned them about the stiff competition.</p><p>“As they announced second place and we didn't hear our name, we all released the tight grip of our hands, as we didn't believe getting first place was feasible,” said senior Sydnee Geril, the other executive producer.</p><p>“Still, it amazes me how we did it. We actually did it,” said sophomore Galina Abdelaziz, a team leader.</p><p>Flying 32 students and equipment nearly 3,000 miles cost $42,000. Parents helped pay the tab. So did the students themselves, who produced videos for area businesses in exchange for donations.</p><p>“If I let myself think about it long enough, I could probably cry again and again from happiness,” Galina said. “So much hard work went into the show, and to be rewarded for your hard work is an incredible feeling.”</p><p><i>Contact Joe Callahan at 867-4113 or joe.callahan@starbanner.com. Follow of him on Twitter at JoeOcalaNews.</i></p>